Sounds In The Night

How much of a chicken am I? I always thought of myself as a strong person, but this next little story was a reminder to me that I am just a big chicken!

First, a little side note. We live in a fairly nice neighborhood. A few months ago, we noticed a guy that just kind of stood out. He was a black man that looked like he was stuck in the 80's. He was always wearing the same thing- 80's style Levi's, a white tank top and white shoes that were probably Reebok or something- and riding around on a 10 speed bike. We started seeing him around our immediate area on his bike and more and more in our neighborhood. We figured out that lives in a very nice two story across the street and a few houses down. Hm. Okay. Sometimes we would see him just standing on his front porch. I would wave or nod hello on my way to the mail box. I never saw any cars or anyone else...

About 2 weeks ago, we noticed another person that stood out. He was a white man, probably in his late 30's or early 40's. He appears to be a little mentally off and walks all the time. It seems like every time I leave the neighborhood, I see him walking around the block. So, I watched him out of my window one day and noticed that he went to the same house where the black man lives. What strange roommates!

Jason and I started talking and began to worry that they were running a half way house or something out of there! It has made me just a little bit more nervous about my girls playing out front or leaving for the weekend. Maybe I am just being silly, but I figure, better safe than sorry.

Ok, so back to my story. Jason went out of town last weekend and I was home alone with the kids. Around 1am I heard a loud noise that sounded like it came from my garage! I jumped out of bed and went to grab the gun and it wasn't in its usual place. (Any time Jason is out of town, I never go investigate without a gun.) I called Jason and he had moved it. He stayed on the phone with me while I went to check out my mystery noise. I made it to the garage in true James Bond form. I flipped on the light and saw the bins I had stacked up on top of a filing cabinet had tipped over. Earlier in the day, I unloaded the RV. It was so hot that I didn't take much time to put things in the right order. I had put one of the heavy, full bins on top and a half empty bin on the bottom.

Relieved, I checked to make sure all the doors were locked and went back upstairs. I checked on the kids like I always do before I get in bed. I pulled the blanket that had been kicked off back over Ashlyn and went to Austin's room to turn off the light that had been turned on. Jessica and Lauren had decided to sleep on one of his beds and he was in the other. This summer, we have been so relaxed about bed time and where everyone sleeps. They were sound asleep. I turned off the light and went back to bed. As I passed the baby gate at the top of the stairs, I decided to lock it. I kind of laughed to myself and thought I was being a little silly thinking a baby gate would make me feel any safer, but I locked it anyway.

When I got back in bed, I chatted with Jason for a few minutes and then tried to go to sleep. My mind started wandering. What would I do if someone came into our house? How could I protect all of the kids? What would I do? Scenarios started playing out like a nightmare! I reminded myself that I live in a very safe neighborhood. But what about those guys that live down the street? I'm sure they are harmless. Did they see Jason leave? All the sudden the thoughts stopped and I sat straight up! It sounded like someone was walking around upstairs! I grabbed the gun and snuck out of my room into the hall. I started walking toward the window in the loft to look outside. I was almost to the girls room when I heard a very loud noise! It was like a thump on the wall! I thought someone must have heard me coming and hid! I peaked in the room but didn't see anyone.

I quickly went to my room and called my dad. He said he would come right over. (It's almost 3am by now)I called Jason and waited. I looked out the window from my closet and saw a car parked a few houses down with someone inside on a cell phone. Of course my mind went crazy! Then, all of the sudden, the car pulled out drove in front of our house and turned around and left the neighborhood!

My dad pulled up and I went downstairs to let him in. We went upstairs together to check out the girls room. We turned on the light and went in to check it out. I couldn't believe what I saw. On the top bunk, rolled over right next to the wall where it is almost impossible for my vertically challenged self to see, was Jessica!

So, yeah, I felt a little silly. Of course I heard noises in the night. My darling 9 year old woke up sharing a twin bed with her little sister and just wanted to get in her own bed. Why didn't I think of that?